[Rybo]

I have 97 wagon that was "low on fuel" and the fuel pump has a noisy hum that wont go away even after putting plenty of gas in.

The car never ran out of gas. I have a Haynes manual but haven't looked at it.

Thx ahead of time for any ideas or info.

I've tried "search" but found very little related. Maybe my skill level at using "search".

Rybo

 

[denisond3]

My experience with noisy fuel pumps is limited to an Aerostar and a Dodge Neon. In both cases it was noisy for a week or two - and then quit working. Hopefully the pump on your 3rd gen. Escort is as easy to get to as those on the 2nd gen. (You unclip the rear seat bottom, remove the access plate, and are looking at the top of the sender/pump assembly in the top of the fuel tank). I replaced the pump on my 92, with an aftermarket cheapie. The car had 200k miles on it & I figured the pump had earned retirement. I didnt replace the sender, just the pump and the pickup 'sock'.

 

[Rybo]

My experience with noisy fuel pumps is limited to an Aerostar and a Dodge Neon. In both cases it was noisy for a week or two - and then quit working. I didnt replace the sender, just the pump and the pickup 'sock'.

Ahh, yeah week or two. That is a week after i was hoeing to take mey newer used Escort on long trip to beach, at least once. Such is life.

Have gotten the two rusty crusty metal locking rings loosened from each other.

Now waiting --as my mechanic suggests-- too see if that is really the problem.

After reading your experience I feel confirmed for my on intuition. I wont ever feel good about this sucker unless I replace that pump.

I think I can gurrantee you that I will now change it out pretty soon, after reading your experience.

I'm nevovus about getting any of this rusty crusty into the tank, as i had a VW Rabbit that broke on us on long trip. Some mechanic says he spent $200. on it and it still didn't rung correctly. Said that fuel intake portal vent had come loose and been sucking in dirt for who knows how long.

Said it would need a complete overhaul of the whole fuel system to ever run properly again.

We gave him $100. bucks and took greyhound bus back home. That was a definite low point in my life. :--(

So, you can see my reluctance to take any chances with getting in crap into fuel tank.

Dude in another forum ask me about the fuel filter. Forgot to address that question but I suppose the tank car being on the weird side angle could have sucked in crap, and now the fuel filter is partially clogged causing fuel pump to whine.

Would be relativly cheap to replace and eliminate that as being related, and wouldn't hurt tho doubtful that would help.

I've read it is not neccesary to replace fuel filter unless car is not getting gas.

Thx for your story. Rybo

 

[denisond3]

If you replace the pump, any loose crud will get stopped by the fuel filter on the firewall. Then after the new pump is in, you can replace the filter.

 

[Rybo]

If you replace the pump, any loose crud will get stopped by the fuel filter on the firewall. Then after the new pump is in, you can replace the filter.

DE, yeah I was kinda thinking in that direction also.

I did replace pump and strainer sock on bottom of it today.

However, since we had to bend the outer retaining ring flanges to loosen the inner retaining ring, it appears that there is not proper pressure being applied to seal the rubber gasket i.e. I'm gas out of top of tank...arghhh!

I priced new Spectra tank 192.00.

Having trouble locating the inner reating ring --the one that is not part of the tank itsel--.

However, I only just recently found out that it is called "reataining" ring. I was doing search for "fuel assembly locking ring" and got nothing, ergo it is back to the internet drawing borard for inner retaing ring at minimu, as that I might get a new one in better --less warped and rusted--- condition and then maybe rebend the flanges on the outer ring plate that is attached to the tank itself.

I'm at about $3000 dollar investment into this car so far, not including the $400 sales tax.

Life could be worse tho. It could be snowing....Ha! :--)

Rybo

 

[denisond3]

I think it was a NAPA store, or an OReilly's store, where they had the sealing ring and the rubber gasket available - and whichever one of the parts you wanted, it only came as both of them for one price. A kit.

 

[Rybo]

I think it was a NAPA store, or an OReilly's store, where they had the sealing ring and the rubber gasket available - and whichever one of the parts you wanted, it only came as both of them for one price. A kit.

Thx for that. I was intending to call Ford dealers first tommorrow. Good reminder that some of this old time parts houses carry all kinds of stuff.

If I buy the new tank, the locking ring comes with it.

There is only one used junker LX near me and its tank is nearly sitting on ground and no telling what condition it is after being in this salvage yard.

Bending the flanges back to a correct position, on the existing rusty outer tank ring might work with a new inner ring, but I would always be nervous that it might work loose and leak gas with out me knowing it.

Thats dangerous. I should have lived with the humming noise but now I know the new pump also hums too loud, so, i have a differrent problem.

Maybe it is the strainer sock hitting something but the old one appear to be have a little tab sitting in a littl nocthed area, as tho it was in correct position.

The humming began after some brake line was repalced to rear brakes and rear brakes replaced.

I think mention already the car was on steep side ways angle when I went shop. By time I got home and sitting idleing I hear this moderate to loud constant hum.

oh well, life goes on.....

Rybo
Rybo